"Iron Man" film series director Jon Favreau says we might next be getting the character's greatest nemesis, The Mandarin, when a third installment eventually gets underway.

Talking with MTV News, Favreau says "You have to do The Mandarin... The problem with The Mandarin is, the way it's depicted in the comic books, you don't want to see that. He also has ten magical rings, and it just doesn't feel right for our thing, so it's either tech-based or the rings are not really rings."

Favreau setup hints of the Mandarin in the first film with the terrorist organization called the 'Ten Rings' mentioned in the credits. The comic character, a Fu Manchu-style Asian caricature with ten magical rings, would have to be updated though. As far as casting goes for the Mandarin I've got my eye on 3 canidates at this time; Martial Arts Pioneer Donnie Yen, Chow Yun Fat recently did an excellent portrayl of Confucious he practically had the Mandarin look right there you should check that out, & that model turned actor "Rain" from Ninja Assassin. So far though only Donnie has actually responded with interest in the role; but we'll see.

Of course a lot depends upon Marvel Studio's upcoming slate including "Thor," "Captain America: The First Avenger" and "The Avengers". The helmer says "What's going to have happened by then? With 'Thor,' you're going to have all this supernatural stuff happening and magic and there's a lot of stuff going on in the world. If it's going to match the comic books, it's going to be incredibly complex for film."

But he's not thinking of leaving Tony Stark high and dry either - "I would like 'Iron Man 3' to pay it off".

I love Donnie Yen. He was one of the guys I hoped would be tossed around as Mandarin. Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung would good too. What I like about Donnie Yen is that he speaks pretty good English. Same goes with CYF. Jet Li wouldn't be bad, but I can't take his voice seriously as a villian.

Kind of an outside choice for me is Sung Kang. He was in Fast in the Furious: Tokyo Drift and pretty good in it.

I don't want the Mandarin to be too young. He needs to be regal, dignified and imperious, with an air of menace about him, not just some high-kicking young upstart. I don't want the likes of Jet Li or Jackie Chan (who would just be a clown). Mandarin will need to be able to speak english well and be very articulate. He doesn't have to be a Fu Manchu type, but what's wrong with having him like these long-haired, goatee beared sagely types? If Chinese cinema are quite happy using these types in movies, and we see them in period-set action films like we see with Chow Yun Fat above, then obviously they find it completely acceptable and not reinforcing a stereotype. I don't think it is anyway. A goatee-bearded, long-haired, royal robed Mandarin is simply honoring Chinese culture and tradition and appreciating aspects that make that culture distinctive.

Donnie Yen could definitely pull off the Mandarin. He's in the same age range as Downey, even a year older I think. He can pull off the look, he speaks fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and I think he's got the acting chops for the role.

Yeah, he could work. I hadn't seen pictures of him yet in this thread but he looks like he's a good candidate. He seems better than Chow Yun Fat, that's for sure, and more menacing. His goatee isn't that far different from Tony Stark, so why shouldn't he have that look?

Rain can be the body guard. He is way too young as was mentioned. I don't mind if they go with an actor who has been big in Asia but not here yet. I can live with a thick accent as long as it's not a funny or comical one, like Chan or Li. Fat is too old... maybe in his John Woo days. Even Crouching Tiger. His best days are well behind him.

Rain can be the body guard. He is way too young as was mentioned. I don't mind if they go with an actor who has been big in Asia but not here yet. I can live with a thick accent as long as it's not a funny or comical one, like Chan or Li. Fat is too old... maybe in his John Woo days. Even Crouching Tiger. His best days are well behind him.

I think Fat could still pull if off. Personally, I would prefer it if the Mandarin was a couple of years older than Stark.

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